Found some rocks with my prop...

nola mike

nola mike

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Like the title says, I found some rocks the other day. Going to blame my inexperienced crew member, since obviously it wasn't my fault. Generally not a ton of obstacles around me, this is my first ground strike in 16 years.
One dent on one blade with a fairly small amount ground off. No significant performance/vibration issues that I can tell. I haven't tried to straighten/smooth anything.

Currently have a 21p Turning point hustler on there. Generally pleased with the performance. I've tried black max aluminum 19/21/23p on there previously. This is much better in every respect (maybe lose 1-2 mph top end vs the 23). Latest WOT with my kid the other day was 4600 rpm in smoothish but not perfect water.
If a prop repair shop even existed around me (don't think it does), doubt it would be worth repairing.
4.3L mercruiser, vortec/4 bbl carb, hull weight is about 2k (and ass heavy) with top speed of 49 on a good day.

Suggestions for something new/different? The boat is worth nothing, so don't want too much bling in a prop (think $3k rims on a '04 civic beater).
 
Scott Danforth

Scott Danforth

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get your current prop trued up.

I hit the only rock in Sand Bay almost 15 years ago. was in 6 feet of water, hit a 5 foot diameter rock. took out prop hub and 1 blade on one prop, and a blade on the other prop. came in with the boat shaking like a dog passing a peach pit.
 
nola mike

nola mike

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Scott Danforth said:
get your current prop trued up.

I hit the only rock in Sand Bay almost 15 years ago. was in 6 feet of water, hit a 5 foot diameter rock. took out prop hub and 1 blade on one prop, and a blade on the other prop. came in with the boat shaking like a dog passing a peach pit.
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I'll do some bench side truing, but the prop is only $110 new and again, I don't even know who would do it around here. The pita factor isn't worth it. Wondering if I should buy another identical prop or go with something SS/fancier, if any gains would be worth it. This prop pulled my old ass up on a slalom ski the other day with 3 aboard, definitely better than the 3 blades I'd used
 
Scott Danforth

Scott Danforth

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I would get another same...... as you said, the juice isnt worth the squeeze. dont you have $4000 worth of rims on your Ranger?
 
nola mike

nola mike

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tphoyt said:
I have filed out some pretty nasty dings in props with no noticeable difference but for $110 bucks I would just get an another one and keep that one as a spare.
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Yeah. Was looking for some opinions on a opinions on a possible upgrade
 
C

Chris1956

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Gee, I have found that TP Hustler props in aluminum have real good performance.

Aluminum props usually destruct when you hit something, saving the propshaft. That can be a good idea, depending on the conditions.

For example, I had a 18foot sterndrive that I often ran in a shallow creek. The bottom was sand/silt and other stuff, but no rocks. The bottom would chew up an alum prop easily, say one trip. A SS prop lasted indefinitely, churning up that stuff. I do not think the SS prop's performance was any better than the Al prop I replaced it with, but it did last.

For those interested, the SS prop was a rapture, and the alum prop a Michigan wheel.
 
nola mike

nola mike

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Hell, maybe I'll just straighten it out and call it a day. I'll post some pics when I get around to it. Like I said, I never hit anything so not too concerned about the lower unit and wondering if I'd see a difference with a fancy SS prop. I'd just be looking for a eBay deal over the off season
 
J

Jeff J

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The only time I tried to bench true an aluminum prop the blade I was straightening cracked. Aluminum doesn’t like to bend and, unlike steel, has no memory of where it was.

The last time I asked a boat dealership if there was anyone in the area working on props I got 3 phone numbers to try.
 
J

Jeff J

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That worked out nice. My starting point was about like yours but the dent mostly broke out for me. I think it cost $125 to have it fixed by a prop shop after I broke it.
 
A

airshot

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At today's prices, it doesn't pay to have an aluminum prop repaired. I was digging thru some old papers a while back and stumbled across some old receipts from back in the eighties. Had an aluminum prop repaired for 65 bucks and a new replacement was about 150 for a cupped edge performance prop for my motor. Today the repair prices are 125 and up, and new prices have actually come down on aluminum props, bought a new Michigan wheel prop for less than 150 shipped to my front door ! With the investment casting process we now use, the aluminum props we have today are much better quality and accuracy. Not the big performance difference to SS props like there were in the old days. And.....prices are better than the old days !!
 
J

Jeff J

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I was faced with the repair or replace aluminum prop this week for a club boat that was missing a chunk of one blade. I dug around and found a spare stainless steel prop. I am still waiting for word from the money handlers on what they want to do about the broken prop. We pretty much have to keep a spare for each different setup.

This particular prop was brand new and came back without paint and a broken blade. The club member claimed he didn’t hit anything. None of them ever do.
 
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